Donald E. Bland, Sr.

Donald E. Bland, Sr., 93, of McPherson, KS and formerly of Lakewood, CO, went home peacefully to be with his Lord and Savior on Wednesday, February 1, 2023, at McPherson Health & Rehab. Don was a retired electrician and building inspector, owning & operating Bland Electric. 

Don was born on October 26, 1929, in Dillon, KS, the son of Walter Marion Shugart, Sr. and Cora Anna (Hunt) Shugart. Don spent his childhood in western Kansas with his foster parents Clifford and Ethel Bland and their family. Later he married his high school sweetheart, Katherine Berniece Tustin on February 20, 1951 in Oakley, KS.  This union was blessed with three children, Donald, Jr., Robert, and Jolynn “Jody”.  Berniece preceded Don in death on February 19, 2007.

Don was a United States Navy veteran, serving during WW II and the Korean War.

He was a member of New Hope Evangelical Church, McPherson.

Survivors include: three children, Don Bland, Jr. (Barbara) of McPherson, KS, Rob Bland (Karen) of Northglenn, CO, and Jolynn “Jody” Fitzmorris (Jim) of Castle Rock, CO; ten grandchildren, Laurie Willison (Lynn), Michelle Sauerwein (Josh), Stephanie Benson (Todd), Corrie Hagan (Michael), Kristi Neville (Patrick), Valerie Hernandez (Mark), Heather Singhisen (Cameron), Joshua Fitzmorris (Jensine), Erica Diamond (Colby), and Mitchell Fitzmorris (Elizabeth); 21 great-grandchildren; and many more extended family and friends. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Cora Shugart; his foster parents, Clifford and Ethel Bland; wife, Berniece Bland; six siblings and five foster siblings.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, Monday, February 13, 2023, at Stockham Family Funeral Home.  A graveside service (with military honors) will be held at the Kansas Veterans’ Cemetery at WaKeeney, KS at 10:00 AM, Monday, February 20, 2023.  A luncheon/reception will follow.

Memorial donations may be given to New Hope Evangelical Church in care of Stockham Family Funeral Home, 205 North Chestnut, McPherson, KS 67460.